The Wicked Sea by Jordan Stephanie Gray

 

In this dark and sultry romantasy a mermaid battles hatred—and lust—for the wretched warlock who saved her life.

Mermaid Zephyra of the Syl dreams of freedom. On the run from a dangerous captor and years of abuse, she’s shed her tail, grown legs, and hidden herself on land in the merrow-loathing kingdom of Mortia, left to steal and barter on the dirty streets. But her freedom is short-lived when she’s caught and sentenced to death by the brutal warlock, Arion Stone.

Arion is as beautiful as he is cold and deadly, only interested in punishing the merrow he views as evil. He has grown as strong as any warlock might, but at great personal cost…which can only be remedied by the heart of the God of Death, lost to a fabled kingdom beneath the ocean’s treacherous depths.

So Arion offers Zephyra a deal she can’t refuse; help him find the mystical heart, and he’ll spare her life. With no other options, Zephyra agrees, entangling their souls and forbidden desires in a magical bargain until death do they part. But Zephyra's past is catching up to her, and the enemy she fled seeks vengeance. If Zephyra and Arion can't learn to fight together--and trust each other--there are worse things awaiting them than just death.

Of course, in the wicked sea, everyone has secrets, and no one should be trusted.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239680445-the-wicked-sea

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I had hoped that this story was going to be a good one, and I’m glad to see I wasn’t wrong! Finding mermaid stories is always fun, especially when they are good. And this seems to be a promising start to what I think is gonna be a pretty great series. Zephyra is a mermaid on the run. She has been trying her best to run as far as she can from something pretty awful. But being a mermaid is a death sentence on land. And the freedom she so desperately wants is taken from her when she is captured by king’s brutal winged warlock. Arion doesn’t have much time left. Every time he uses his magic, he knows it is bringing him closer to death. His only hope is to find the mystical heart of the God of Death. And when he realizes he needs the help of his enemy? Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. Saving Zephyra leads to a deal to help one another, though add in some life debt magic. Tied together, they really must call a truce in order to survive what comes next. And let’s just say, Zephyra’s enemies are way worse than Arion. A really get enemies to lovers story for sure! A favorite of mine and I really adored these two as they bantered and bit by bit definitely fell for one another hard. We have a world of different types of magic and gods. Twist and turns, and an ending that of course has me demanding when the next book is coming out! Really loved this story all around and I’m very excited to see where this world takes us. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

North Shore Titans Book 5: Ruthless Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Book 5

I never imagined the ruthless Titan would choose me as his rebellion, or that I’d become his shield.

Hockey was supposed to be my ticket to stability, earning me a scholarship for an education I could never have afforded on my own. Until Connor Walsh, the ruthless star of the Crestwood hockey team and my captain, corners me with an ultimatum that changes everything.

Marry him, or watch my scholarship—and my entire future—disappear.

It's blackmail, pure and simple. A calculated move in whatever twisted game he's playing with his equally ruthless father. And I'm just a pawn he's willing to sacrifice.

Now I'm trapped in their war, shielding the one person who should be my enemy and learning all over again that safety is just another thing people like me don’t get.

I keep telling myself to hold back, that getting close only leads to hurt. But every day I spend with Connor pulls me in a little more.

And falling for my husband is worse than anything the ruthless titan can threaten me with.

Because love—family—well, they never last.

Grab your copy of this steamy MM featuring an over the top possessive hockey player and his teammate. This is a forced marriage college hockey romance with a bi-awakening, two broken MCs, and first times.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/225803565-ruthless-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Connor’s relationship with his parents is not exactly good. They try to control and use him at every turn. And when their latest plans for him includes forcing him to marry for their business, he takes matters into his own hands. He’ll get married, just not to who they want. Instead, he grabs his teammate, Ryan. Blackmailing Ryan to marry Connor or lose his scholarship. Safe to say Ryan isn’t exactly happy but doesn’t exactly have a choice. But though Connor can be ruthless, Ryan starts to see a lot more to him. And protect him when he finds out just how awful his parents are and how far they are willing to go to hurt Connor. But Ryan hasn’t had it easy. He lost his family in a car accident and following that other bad things have happened to the point where he can’t stand anyone touching him or being near him. But instead of using it against him, Connor actually protects and takes care of Ryan in the ways that matter. Neither imagined that this fake marriage could lead to something real. But with Connor’s parents hanging over their heads, well they aren’t safe by any means. And it’s only a matter of time until they strike back. Great end to this series! Connor definitely lived up to his ruthless title in the beginning but I liked seeing him let his walls down with Ryan and actually start to care. And Ryan has been through so much and it was a delightful surprise that Connor was the one to actually get Ryan to opening up and heal bit by bit. A surprising duo, but a great one nonetheless. These last few books of these series really stepped up and I’m sad it’s over. But! It looks like another series is coming that will connect us. Can’t wait to see how that goes down!

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 4: Forbidden Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Book 4

"The devil wears many faces. Today, he wore the one I've been running from for five years."

Five years spent running, reinventing myself at every turn, until my stepbrother finally caught up to me.

Zach Knight is cold, dangerous, and determined to make me pay for almost destroying his hockey career. But beneath that icy exterior burns something far more intense than revenge.

Now I'm back home, trying to build a future while dealing with the fierce attraction between us. Every touch, every heated glance draws me deeper into dangerous territory.

My stepbrother may be broken in ways I'm only beginning to understand, but so am I. His darkness calls to mine, and when he claims me as his, I can't resist falling.

They say the opposite of hate is love, but with Zach Knight, the line between the two threatens to consume us both.

Falling for the forbidden titan was never part of the plan.

But neither was becoming his salvation.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215358332-forbidden-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Zach and Merci have a…complicated history. One of pain and blood and brokenness. Five years ago, Merci ran. Ran from his mother and new stepdad. And his new stepbrother. After what had happened… he felt like it was better to just leave. Little did he know that Zach has been searching for him ever since. And now that he found him? Well things get complicated. Zach believes that he wanted to find Merci for revenge after what happened, but even though he may have had a few chances to act on it, he didn’t. And now he can’t, but truthfully, he doesn’t think he could have. He may have some issues he has been dealing with for a long time, but even he can sense that there is something about Merci that gets to him. One that turns into much more than hate. Merci never thought coming home would lead to him and Zach acting on the attraction between them. It’s fine they finally talked. Cleared the air. Because they both had secrets from one another and if they had opened up even just a little bit, things could have been different for them. But they won’t make that mistake this time. Great story with Zach and Merci. Both have been through so much and they deserved some happiness. Especially with each other after they finally shared some important things. It made their story so much better as they opened up and fought hard for one another. I’ve been speeding through this series and I have one more to go! Can’t wait to see what happens next.

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 3.5: A Merry Brutal Christmas by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 3.5

Tis the season to be naughty...

College hockey rivals turned lovers Jackson Reed and Killian Blackwell are about to face their toughest match Christmas with both their families at the Reed mansion.

Between sexual tension to melt the estate's ice sculptures, and a shared future that's anything but certain, this holiday season is bound to be unforgettable.

The only question is whether the mansion-and their families-will survive their particular brand of Christmas spirit.

**This story features the couple from Brutal Titan and is an extension of their story. It is recommended to read Brutal Titan first.**

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223000360-a-merry-brutal-christmas

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

A short Christmas story that follows Jackson and Killian. The two of them are spending their first Christmas together with their families. Both are pretty nervous about it but they are also nervous about their future with so many changes coming. But no matter what happens, they aren’t letting one another go. This was a fun and very on-brand way for these two to spend their holiday and with hints of the next book coming, sounds like something big is about to go down with the Titans. 

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 3: Unhinged Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 3

Falling for the unhinged Titan was never in the playbook.

Taking the job as assistant coach for Crestwood’s hockey team is supposed to be my fresh start—until I meet Viktor Novotny.

The uncontrollable goalie is a chaotic force, pushing every boundary and testing the limits of my self-control. His ice-blue eyes follow me everywhere, making him impossible to ignore.

He’s not just trouble—he’s the exact kind I need to avoid.

When an explosive confrontation morphs into a pulse-pounding encounter, I cross the line between coach and player, torn between responsibility and forbidden desire.

But Viktor's the most exhilarating gamble I've ever taken, and the harder I fight my feelings, the clearer it becomes . . . He needs me just as fiercely as I crave him, and he'll stop at nothing to claim me as his own.

*Unhinged Titan is the third in a five book standalone MM college hockey romance series featuring an over the top alpha hockey player and the new assistant coach. This is a romance with stalking, an eight year age gap, and protective/possessive alpha main characters.*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211108905-unhinged-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Viktor is just pure chaos. Though that surprises no one considering he is a hockey goalie. One with promise to play in the NHL but before that he is finishing his degree in engineering because he is also a bit of a genius. Though when it comes to relationships, Viktor can’t seem to find anyone who can handle his chaos and though he tries his best to shake it off, deep down it bothers him. Then he locks eye on Beckett. And he knows that man is his. Even when he learns that Beckett is their new assistant coach. Beckett isn’t prepared for Viktor and though he tries hard to fight the pull between them, it’s only a matter of time until he gives in. Because deep down, he knows Viktor is as much his as he is Viktor’s. Get ready for some hockey, some violence, and a whole lot of chaos. I was definitely looking forward to seeing who could be Viktor’s match. And I was not disappointed !

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 2: Brutal Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Book 2

Jackson Reed has been a thorn in my side since the day we met–always running his mouth, always itching for a fight. Our rivalry on the ice has left us bruised and bloodied countless times.

When our teams end up at the same hotel for the Regional Championships, the brutal Titan gets under my skin in a whole new way. A fight turns into a chase through the woods, and when I’m caught, it ignites a forbidden fire within me that can’t be stifled.

Our secret encounters grow more intense, and I find myself craving his touch, his taste, his infuriating smirk that both turns me on and makes me want to punch him in his perfect face.

As captain of the South Shore Serpents, getting involved with the star of our rival team is reckless. A betrayal.

Forbidden.

But Jackson Reed doesn't stop until he gets what he wants, and this time–it's me.

Falling for the brutal Titan was never part of the plan.

Except he's the most addictive bad idea I've ever had, and I can't get enough.

*Brutal Titan is the second in a five book standalone MM college hockey romance series featuring an over the top alpha hockey player and his biggest rival on the ice. This is a romance with bullying behaviors, bi-awakening and two protective/possessive alpha main characters.*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209522047-brutal-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Jackson and Killian have been rivals since they were kids. Fighting on and off the ice, they just know how to push one another’s buttons. And they aren’t afraid to use their fists either. So when their two hockey teams end up in the same hotel for the Regional Championships, neither can really resist the temptation to mess with the other. Jackson kicks it off when he chases Killian through the woods. And when they corner one another, well things take an unexpected turn. A weekend of playing hockey also turns into a weekend of figuring out this thing between them when they end up hooking up. Turns out there really is a fine line between love and hate. And what these two feel for one another goes way beyond a rivalry. I am always down for a good enemies-to-lovers story and this one didn’t disappoint. Especially when their protective instincts kick in for one another. Another quick story, but I’m enjoying this series so far!

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 1: Savage Titan by EV Olsen

 

North Shore Titans Hockey Book 1

I caught the attention of a savage beast.

My fault–ish after I crashed into the North Shore Titan’s star defensemen on my way to class.

In typical Eli Holmes fashion, instead of walking away after he threw my books across the hall, I stood up to Alexei Petrov.

Even sat right next to him in class, letting him know exactly what I thought of his brutish behavior.

Someone should’ve reminded me not to go around poking monsters.

But I’m not one to cower.

Until a heated encounter leads to a steamy kiss.

Now, I can’t seem to get away from him–at school or in my thoughts.

And his savagery draws out desires I didn’t know I had.

The worst part–even seeing how dark this hockey player is, I can’t stop myself from falling for him.

One way or another, Alexei Petrov is going to destroy me.

*Savage Titan is the first in a five book standalone MM college hockey romance series featuring a possessive hockey player, and the feisty art student who crashes into his world. This is a bully romance with dark behaviors, bi-awakening and opposites attract.*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206755042-savage-titan

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Alexei’s focus has to be on hockey if he wants to be in the NHL. Him and his teammates are known for being untouchable and brutal on and off the ice. So no one is more surprised than him when mouthy art student decides to call him out for being a jerk. Every opportunity Alexei finds to try and put Eli back in his face only backfires. Especially when he realizes there is a spark of attraction between them. And once they act on it, there is no going back. Eli knows he should probably keep his head down. Alexei has been anything but kind, but Eli also can’t stand a bully. But getting close to Alexei makes Eli realize there is something between them and instead of backing off, Eli is all in. There is something more to Alexei and Eli wants all of him. Especially when Alexei says Eli is his. A quick read filled with hockey, romance, and some very possessive hockey players.